Have you ever looked at your Mac and thought, “Why is everything so tiny?” You’re not alone. For many beginners, the default font size on a Mac can be surprisingly small. But here’s the good news: learning how to change text size on Mac is quick, easy, and doesn’t require any tech experience.
Whether you’re reading emails, browsing your favourite websites, or sorting through photos, making the text larger can turn your Mac from frustrating to friendly.
Make Everything Bigger with Mac Display Settings
If everything—icons, windows, menus—feels too small, adjusting the Mac display settings is the best place to start.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Choose System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions).
- Select Displays.
- Look for the Text Size slider or the Display Resolution options.
- Drag the slider toward “Larger” or select “Larger Text.”
Pro Tip: If you’re using macOS Sequoia, you’ll see a live preview before you commit to the new size—super handy!
Make Text Bigger in Safari While Browsing
Reading news, blogs, or recipes online? You can zoom in to make web pages easier on your eyes.
Two Easy Ways to Zoom in Safari:
Option 1: Keyboard Shortcuts
- Press Command (⌘) + Plus (+) to zoom in
- Press Command (⌘) + Minus (-) to zoom out
Option 2: Set a Default Zoom Level
- Open Safari.
- Click Safari in the menu bar > Settings.
- Go to the Websites tab, then choose Page Zoom.
- Set your favorite sites to open automatically at 125% or 150%.
👉 Frank’s Tip: “I set news sites to 150%, and now I don’t have to lean forward like a detective every morning.”
Change Font Size in Mail and Messages
You can make emails and messages easier to read too.
In Mail:
- Open the Mail app.
- Click Mail > Settings > Fonts & Colors.
- Change the message font size to something comfy like 16 or 18 pt.
In Messages:
- Open the Messages app.
- Click Messages > Settings.
- Use the text size slider to go bigger or smaller.
Use Built-In Accessibility Tools for Extra Comfort
Apple includes built-in tools under Accessibility to help anyone who prefers a clearer screen.
Try These Features:
- Go to System Settings > Accessibility.
- Explore these helpful options:
- Zoom: Turn on screen zoom (great if you only want to magnify sometimes)
- Display: Increase contrast, reduce transparency, and use bold text
- Pointer: Make the mouse pointer bigger and easier to find
- Spoken Content: Let your Mac read text out loud for you.
Learn more on Apple’s official Accessibility page.
Final Thoughts: You’re in Control
If things on your screen look too small, it’s not your fault—and you’re not stuck with it. With just a few simple changes, you can customize your Mac so it feels more comfortable and fits your preferences perfectly.
So go ahead: Make it bigger. You’re the boss now.
Ready to Get Confident on Your Mac?
Check out our complete guide:
“Learning Mac for Absolute Beginners”
Perfect for anyone new to the Mac, this friendly book walks you through everything from setup to shortcuts—no jargon, just clear steps. Buy the book now and take the stress out of using your Mac!